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A previous blog post detailed two British Red Cross Society ribbon bars. The image below includes several additional ribbon bars dating from the late 1930s. Of particular interest are the Anti-Gas Training, several dated A.R.P. scrolls and First Aid in Chemical Warfare (the latter dated to 1937 and 1938). I am indebted to Roger at Home Front Collection for sharing the image.  British Red Cross Society Civil Defence-Related Medals and Ribbons Bars  First Aid in Chemical Warfare ribbon bar
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During the Second World War, the British Red Cross Society offered training courses via the Civil Defence training colleges, some related to ARP and Civil Defence matters. Below are scarce ribbon bars for the Anti-Gas Training Instructor C.A.G.S. (Civilian Anti-Gas School) and Anti-Gas Training Instructor A.R.P.S. (Air Raid Precautions School). To date, it is unknown if L.A.R.P. and L.A.G.C. versions were also available. I am researching the types of Civil Defence-related medal ribbon bars issued by the BRCS during the war, so if you have a list or examples to share, please get in touch. I'm aware that the BRCS issued Red Cross Nursing and Red Cross First Aid ribbon bars with wartime years (1939, 1940 etc). The image of the medal and CAGS ribbon bar is courtesy of a regular contributor to this blog.  British Red Cross Society Anti-Gas Training Instructor C.A.G.S. Ribbon Bar  British Red Cross Society Anti-Gas Training Instructor A.R.P.S. Ribbon Bar Coming up at auction at South Dorset Auctions is a fabulous group of medals and ephemera belonging to Dr Horatio Sparling MBE. Dr Horatio Sparling was the local Divisional Surgeon for the St. John Ambulance before volunteering as a Medical Officer (MO) with the Civil Defence organisation at the beginning of the second world war. Based in East Croydon, the decorated veteran of the first world war received an MBE for his work saving casualties following a V1 rocket attack. His MBE was gazetted in December 1944.  Amongst the lots are several photos showing Sparling in his CD uniform. His two-diamond, white helmet with M.O. and A.R.P. is most unusual. Also present is a photo of him wearing a peaked cap, but the cap badge is hard to discern. Dr Sparling died in 1965 at the age of 77.  Dr Horatio Sparling - Croydon Medical Officer  Dr Horatio Sparling - Medal Grouping 80 years ago, in 1941, Scouts from Bermondsey and Rotherhithe in South East London gathered at Manor Church for the presentation of Scout gallantry medals by the London Regional Commissioner, General Sir John Shea. Sadly, one Scout’s medal was to be awarded posthumously, received by his parents with their grief plain to see in the newsreel footage on YouTube. But why were so many Scouts receiving awards in the midst of the World War Two London Blitz when children had either been evacuated to the countryside or took nightly cover in air raid shelters? Today, it is not so well known that Scouts and Guides played a highly-active role in Civil Defence. The most dangerous work took them out into the open as the bombs fell around them putting out incendiary bomb fires, acting as stretcher bearers and riding through the destruction carrying emergency services' messages. One Boy Scout who did this was 17-year-old Frank Davis. He lived close to the river, was part of the 11th Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Scout Group and worked for the Southern Railway at Bricklayers Arms Goods Station. At night Frank was an ARP messenger carrying messages between air raid posts and was based at Dockhead, close to Tower Bridge, where his father was the Warden in charge. On the night of 8th December, 1940 there was yet another air raid. Frank and a fellow Scout were out when they came across an incendiary bomb. It was dangerous yet essential work to put smother the bomb with sand before the building caught fire. That meant getting up close and personal with a flame spewing monster. That night Frank’s fellow Scout’s luck ran out and he was injured by the sparks. Frank carried his friend back to the Dockhead Warden’s post for treatment before returning to put out the incendiary bomb on his own. At some point, whilst doing this, explosive bombs fell close by killing Frank. Having realised he was missing, the Wardens at the post set out to search for him. His lifeless body was possibly discovered by his father. Five days later, on 13th December, Frank was buried at Nunhead Cemetery in a grave that is today lost in undergrowth. Frank was nominated for a Scout gallantry award; his Bronze Cross, nicknamed "The Scout’s VC", was announced on 5th February, 1941 with the medal being presented to his parents on 15th March, 1941. Today, under non-pandemic circumstances, 16th Bermondsey Scout Group would still be meeting at Manor Church where the medal presentation was held. The church seen in the newsreel was lost to the bombing of London. Read more about Frank Davis and the Scouts in World War Two All images courtesy and copyright of the Scout Association Heritage Collection.  Posthumous aware of Bronze Cross to Frank Davis (© Scout Association Heritage Collection)  Frank Davis' parents receive the Bronze Cross, 1941 (© Scout Association Heritage Collection) Albert Dore's Defence Medal, King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct badges and laurels and ARP badge3/12/2021 A fantastic collection of medals and commendations to ARP Rescue Squad member Mr. Albert Dore. The collection for sale at Dix Noonan Webb on 11 March 2021 (est. £200-£240). Dore was in a group that rescued the inhabitants of a bombed house in Streatham, south London, on 11 January 1941. Included are a Defence Medal, in original box of issue, two King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct plastic pin-backed badges in box of issue, two King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct silver laurel leaves in box of issue and the Albert Dore's ARP silver lapel badge.  Albert Dore's Defence Medal, King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct badges and laurels and ARP badge |
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